TULUM’S ASTONISHING GROWTH: POPULATION TO QUADRUPLE WITH NEW AIRPORT AND MAYAN TRAIN.
Tulum is on the brink of an unprecedented transformation, driven by major infrastructure projects like the Mayan Train and the new international airport. These developments, along with the establishment of El Jaguar park, are set to propel the population of Tulum and Felipe Carrillo Puerto by a staggering 450% percent over the next thirty years, according to the Operational Territorial Program for the Southern Zone of the Riviera Maya.
Infrastructure Driving Growth
The analysis, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Agrarian, Urban, and Territorial Development (Sedatu), indicates that the surge in population and tourist influx will necessitate a 116 percent increase in potable water annually. This growth will have significant implications for the region’s aquifers.
By 2050, it’s estimated that 41.6 hectometers of water will be required to meet the needs of these municipalities, alongside the production of 20.8 hectometers of wastewater. Additionally, the daily production of garbage and solid urban waste is projected to reach 748 tons.
Demographic Explosion
Projections indicate a dramatic population increase from 130,000 in 2020 to over 716,000 by 2050. This shift will see Tulum and Felipe Carrillo Puerto’s population density rival that of Playa del Carmen, effectively tripling. This optimistic outlook suggests that these projects could surpass expectations and become fully realized within the next decade.
Environmental and Zoning Challenges
Elías Sienenborn, an environmentalist tracking the impact on cenotes in Section 5 South of the Tren Maya, has raised concerns about the rapid changes. He highlights that real estate speculation has surged alongside the railway construction, with insufficient zoning plans leading to land dispossessions and environmental degradation.
Sienenborn notes, “The ideal scenario’s population growth will expand urban sprawl in a region where 86 percent is jungle, 7.2 percent is aquatic vegetation, and 6 percent is mangrove.”
A New Era for Tourism and Real Estate
The Tulum airport and Mayan Train are complementary projects being promoted by the administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Andrés Martínez Reynoso, director of the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ), emphasized that this new phase of tourism in the Mexican Caribbean aims to coordinate the development of 12 destinations within Quintana Roo.
Investment Implications
For real estate investors, these developments present a myriad of opportunities. The significant population growth and infrastructure improvements are likely to drive up property values, making now an ideal time to invest in Tulum and its surrounding areas. However, it is crucial to remain aware of the environmental and zoning challenges that come with such rapid development.
In summary, Tulum is poised for exponential growth, fueled by ambitious infrastructure projects. Real estate investors have a unique opportunity to capitalize on this transformation, provided they navigate the associated challenges responsibly.
